BMP keeps 15m Barclaycard task

BMP DDB has maintained its nine-year grip on the 15m creative account for Barclaycard after a four-way pitch.

The account was put up for review in September and Abbott Mead Vickers.BBDO, Bartle Bogle Hegarty and WCRS were invited to pitch against incumbent BMP.

Barclaycard, the country’s biggest credit card, has been under growing pressure from new competitors in the UK credit card market charging interest rates (APRs) well below the 22.9 per cent carried by Barclaycard.

Paul Parmenter, Barclaycard’s marketing director, comments: “The review allowed us to consider fresh advertising ideas. As it happens, BMP emerged as the clear winner on the basis of a powerful creative proposal.

“I am very pleased to be able to continue to work with BMP.”

BMP has produced a series of strong campaigns for the account, including the famous six-year series with Rowan Atkinson and the more recent “Don’t put it off…put it on” campaign featuring a collapsing house.

Chris Cowpe, BMP’s joint managing director, says: “[This decision] is a tribute to the relationship we have with Barclaycard.

“We have worked with the company for almost ten years and we are looking forward to another ten years.”